There’s something for everyone in Boston, and that holds true for kids. Whether your little one is an aspiring astronaut, restauranteur, architect, or historian, you’ll find there’s plenty to do to pique their interest in this beloved city.
From playing around museums designed just for them to riding on a unique tour boat that’ll have them laughing all journey long, there are tons of fun things to do in Boston with kids. We’ve compiled a list of the best kid-friendly and family-friendly things to do in Boston to help you plan a trip they’ll never forget.
Pick your favorite Boston activities for kids from this list, and your children are bound to ask to come back again and again!
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15 Fun and Unique Things to do in Boston with Kids
1. Play around the Boston Children’s Museum
Visiting the Boston Children’s Museum, one of the oldest children’s museums in the US, has long been one of the best things to do in Boston with kids. Your kids will become little engineers, learn about other cultures, put their architectural skills to the test, and much more.
There’s something here for kids as young as just a few months to as old as preteens, but you’ll find that the prime time to bring kids here is when they’re between 3 and 10.
2. Expand Your Mind at the Museum of Science
Looking for another kid-friendly play space? The Museum of Science offers one of the best family-friendly things to do in Boston, where adults and kids alike can learn about worlds beyond our own.
There are more than 700 interactive exhibits, teaching you about everything from our DNA to Arctic exploration. Kids will also be blown away by watching the stars in the planetarium, enjoying a movie that affects all their senses at the 4-D theater, seeing science come to life with live presentations, and watching a show in the five-story, domed IMAX theater.
3. Spend Some Time at Frog Pond
No matter what season you visit, the Boston Common Frog Pond is one of the best things to do with kids in Boston. Come summer, little ones can splash around the pond, cooling off from the hot sunny days. But when the weather cools down, Frog Pond becomes one of Boston’s most beloved ice skating rinks.
Don’t forget to go for a whirl on the Boston Common Carousel while you’re over there!
4. Take a Duck Tour
Few tours in Boston are more fun than the famous Boston Duck Tours, which is why it’s a must-do when visiting Boston with kids. You’ll cruise around Boston’s historical landmarks and charming neighborhoods in a unique amphibious vehicle, all gearing up for the grand finale, where you’ll splash down in the Charles River for a one-of-a-kind view.
But what kids are bound to love most is their conDUCKtor. All tour guides, or conDUCKtors, on the Duck Tours are hilarious and will have your kids giggling all tour long.
5. Glide on a Swan Boat
Over in the Public Garden, right next to the Boston Common, you’ll find one of the most family-friendly things to do in Boston. The famous Swan Boats have been giving leisurely tours of the US’s first botanical garden since the 1800s.
It’s a relaxing ride that runs from April through September. Your kids will love the beautiful swans and stunning sights, while you’ll love getting to enjoy the calming journey.
6. Visit the LEGO Discovery Center
Visiting Boston on a rainy day? The LEGO Discovery Center is one of the most fun things to do in Boston with kids, especially when you’re trying to escape some unfortunate weather.
Located over in Somerville, the LEGO Discovery Center offers kid-friendly activities and attractions that are perfect for the little LEGO lover in your life. Enjoy interactive rides and challenges, see Boston’s famous landmarks in LEGO form, build your own Minifigure, join a Master Model Builder who can help you improve your skills, and much more.
7. Explore the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
There are many historic sites to see in Boston, and not every kid is ready to spend the day listening to adults talk about history. But if you want a little edutainment while visiting Boston with kids, the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum is the perfect place to go.
This museum is a fully interactive experience, where costumed interpreters will guide you through the night of the Boston Tea Party and invite you to join in the revolution. You’ll step aboard a full-scale replica of the ship that once hosted the real Boston Tea Party and throw tea in the same waters that the Sons of Liberty did over 240 years ago.
8. Meet the Animals at the New England Aquarium
Whether you’re visiting with an aspiring marine biologist or just a group of animal lovers, the New England Aquarium is one of the best things to do in Boston with kids. Not only will they delight in seeing tons of animals, from penguins to sea lions to turtles and so much more, but they’ll also love the interactive activities for kids in this Boston attraction.
They will marvel at the critters in the touch tanks, learn all about conservation in a fun and engaging way, watch 3-D movies, and more.
9. Take the Kids to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Got a little artist in your group? The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is one of the best family-friendly things to do in Boston. Kids under 18 are always free, and the museum offers many hands-on activities to keep them engaged throughout their visit.
The museum provides family guides to help groups with little ones get the most out of their visit. Sketching supplies are available free of charge as well. And if you visit on a Saturday, kids ages seven and up can take part in making fun projects at the Bertucci Education Studio.
10. Take a Donut Tour
There are very few kids out there who don’t have a sweet tooth, which is why taking the Underground Donut Tour is one of the most fun Boston activities for kids.
However, by taking this tour, you have a little trick up your sleeve. Your kids will have so much fun eating donuts around Boston’s neighborhoods that they’ll hardly realize they’re also getting a history lesson or two with their treats.
11. Explore the Franklin Park Zoo
The Franklin Park Zoo is home to hundreds of exotic animals, from lemurs and lions to camels and condors. Your kids will delight in seeing all these clever creatures, but what makes visiting this zoo one of the most kid-friendly things to do in Boston is the fact that there’s plenty to do that’s just for them.
Over in the Children’s Zoo, they can climb around with red pandas, get a bird’s-eye view of the zoo like the eagles, partake in tons of different animal encounters, and more. Kids will also love the Franklin Farm, where they can see and pet goats when the weather is warm.
12. Take Them Out to the Ballgame
There’s nothing like seeing a game at Fenway Park, the oldest stadium in Major League Baseball. It’s a true icon. But it also offers one of the most family-friendly things to do in Boston.
In addition to the excitement of the games themselves, kids can also enjoy spending time at the Kids Concourse, where they can test their batting skills, play VR challenges, and more.
13. Ride on Codzilla
Not all kids will be as excited for a harbor cruise as adults will be, but that’s where Codzilla comes in!
This high-speed boat tour is one of the most fun things to do in Boston with kids, as long as you don’t mind the potential for getting a little (or a lot) wet. Luckily, ponchos are available. Enjoy high speeds, thrilling turns and spins, and a soundtrack that matches all the excitement on this spectacular tour.
14. Play at Kings
Kings Dining & Entertainment has several locations in and around Boston, and they’re particularly great options for visiting Boston with kids when the weather isn’t ideal for being outdoors. This retro-inspired play space offers bowling, billiards, arcades, and tons of fun. Plus, while there’s plenty of child-friendly dining, adults can also enjoy specialty cocktails.
15. Step Inside the Mapparium
Over at the Christian Science Plaza, you can find the unique Mapparium, one of the most memorable things to do in Boston with kids. This three-story globe is frozen in time, forever 1935. Your kids will be astonished as they learn how much the world has changed in under 100 years, all from inside the stunning stained-glass globe.
There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Boston with kids. What are your favorite Boston activities for kids? Let us know in the comments!
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